This 2007 book reviews the history of geomorphological studies of the Great Barrier Reef and assesses the influences of sea-level change and oceanographic processes on the development of reefs over the last 10,000 years. It presents analyses of recently attained data from the Great Barrier Reef and reconstructions of the sequence of events which have led to its more recent geomorphology. The authors emphasise the importance of the geomorphological time span and its applications for present management applications. This is a valuable reference for academic researchers in geomorphology and oceanography, and will also appeal to graduate students in related fields.

• A unique book covering the geomorphology of the Great Barrier Reef
• Contains analysis of most radiometric ages related to the evolution of the Great Barrier Reef, and is the only source for this information
• Examines the case for geomorphological time span and its importance in management applications

Contents

Preface; Acknowledgements; 1. Geomorphology of the Great Barrier Reef; 2. Foundations of the Great Barrier Reef; 3. Sea-level: a primary control of long-term reef growth and geomorphological development; 4. Oceanography, hydrodynamics, climate and water quality as influences on reef geomorphological processes; 5. Spatial analysis of the reefs and islands of the Great Barrier Reef; 6. The non-reefal areas of the Continental Shelf; 7. Fringing and nearshore coral reefs; 8. The mid-shelf reefs of the Great Barrier Reef; 9. The coral reefs of the outer shelf of the Great Barrier Reef; 10. Reef islands of the Great Barrier Reef; 11. The accumulation of the Holocene veneer to the Great Barrier Reef; 12. The Holocene evolution of the Great Barrier Reef province; 13. Geomorphology's contribution to the understanding and resolution of environmental problems of the Great Barrier Reef; References; Index.

Reviews

'… well written and well illustrated … a very useful contribution to the reef literature and one that should be of interest to a wide range of reef scientists and managers.'
Coral Reefs

'This will be a valuable source book on the GBR. The authors' thoroughness, grasps of detail and surefootedness in covering a diverse range of topics is impressive … Even though the book is strongly GBR-focussed, it still retains a general sense of critical review that was so useful in the 1982 volume, with a text often organised around key research questions.'
Reef Encounter

'Without doubt, this is a book of scientific quality built on several decades of first hand research experience by the authors. It is well produced and represents good value for money …deserves a place not only on the shelves of major libraries but also on those of all serious researchers, teachers and practitioners concerned with coral reef systems and wider coastal and marine environmental management.'
Geoscientist

'This is a valuable synthesis of data currently available on the GBR, and therefore this book is a very useful contribution to reef literature and will be of use to reef and sea-level scientists and managers.'
Quaternary Science Reviews

'I … recommend the book without any reservations and encourage all those interested in coral reefs the world over to buy this book.'
Journal of Coastal Research

'… this text is an essential … investment for anyone involved in researching or managing the GBR and could be used effectively by physical geography teachers anywhere in the world to illustrate the strengths of a modern geomorphic approach to science and environmental management.'
New Zealand Geographer

'Neither the authors nor the publisher could have produced a better monograph that incorporates consistently good diagrams, maps and photographs, a unique data base in tables and graphs covering every island, drill hole and reef type and a text that systematically brings together the research outputs of geoscientists working on the GBR in the last two to three decades in a coherent and synthetic manner.'
Geographical Research

' … we have really only scratched the surface of the limestone upon which the future of the ecological system lies. However, there could be no finer foundation than provided by this book to stimulate the scientific research, and the development of management practices necessary to make sure that there is still a magnificent reef to be seen by future generations of reef scientists, and millions more tourists.'
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